Byrne suffers injury scare

The British

& Irish Lions

Tour to New Zealand 2017

Byrne suffers injury scare

Lee Byrne has handed Wales and the Lions a major fitness scare ahead of next month's Six Nations and this summer's tour to South Africa.

Byrne limped off in the 37th minute of the Ospreys' Heineken Cup clash with Perpignan after suffering an ankle injury after a nasty collision with team-mate Mike Phillips.

The Wales full-back left the Stade Aime Giral on crutches and will find out if he is ruled out of Wales' title defence following a scan later today.

Byrne has been in superb form this year, starring for both club and country and putting his name forward as the leading contender for the Lions No15 shirt.

"We will assess Lee's injury when he has a scan," said Ospreys coach Jon Humphreys.

"It's very painful at the moment but until the doctors have a look at him, we can't rule him in or out.

"He's strapped up and on crutches. We hope he will be fit for next week and we will give him the best possible chance."

It will be a major blow for Wales coach Warren Gatland if Byrne, rated as the number one full-back in the world on form, is ruled out of the opening Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on February 8.